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Rookie of the Year
Mind-made-up meter: 9

Candidates still under consideration: Luka Doncic (Dallas), Trae Young (Atlanta)

Analysis: Yes, this race is unofficially over. Doncic (20.9, 7.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists) has been everything the Mavs hoped for, and now he’s on track to join Robertson as the only other rookie to reach the 20-7-5 marks.But again, there is still roughly a quarter of the schedule left to play and Young – who had 36 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds in a win against Minnesota on Wednesday – has been on a major upswing for quite some time now after his rough early start. At this rate, he’s set to join Robertson, Magic Johnson, Damon Stoudamire, Allen Iverson and Isiaah Thomas as the only rookies to average 17 points and seven assists.

Consider these lines from Dec. 1 on…

Young: 20.8 points (42.7% overall, 38.7 from three-point range), 8.2 assists, four rebounds, 3.7 turnovers

Doncic: 23.1 points (43.1%, 32.8%), 6.7 assists, 8.6 rebounds, 3.3 turnovers

The gap between them has been shrinking, in other words, even if it’s far too big for Young to bridge all the way. If nothing else, the Hawks rookie looking more and more like a legitimate franchise cornerstone means the optics on that controversial Doncic-Young draft day trade look far better these days. To review, the Hawks sent the third pick to Dallas (Doncic) in exchange for the No. 5 (Young) and a 2019 first-rounder (top-five protected).

Yet for Atlanta’s purposes, Young’s progression has been positive enough to inspire a rethinking about this coming summer in which they’ll have approximately $41 million in salary cap space. According to a source with knowledge of their thinking, the Hawks are so bullish on the development of Young, fellow rookie Kevin Huerter and second-year big man John Collins that they want to explore even the biggest and boldest of offseason plans.

Translation: They’re planning to pursue meetings with the best-of-the-best in free agency when July 1 rolls around. It’s a half-court shot of sorts, to be sure, but they’d love nothing more than to fire that pitch to everyone from Kevin Durant on down. Talk about the young core and where they believe they’re heading under coach Lloyd Pierce, the arena that received $192.5 million in renovations that have drawn rave reviews, and the fancy new practice facility too. Even if (insert free agent’s name here) doesn’t come, it’s the kind of courting that sends a league-wide message that your program should be taken seriously.

hawkmanreturns wrote:I still think it may be a bit early to pursue top tier free agents, but if Schlenk feels it's time, I trust his judgment. I just don't think we're there yet as far as attracting free agents. Maybe summer of 2020?

CP War Hawks wrote:I've seen Trae buddying up with Vucevic after a game. I mean it's alot of FAs this summer, and it' could be more wild as the trade deadline.

I think the draft has some blockbuster moments waiting for us.

Sultanofatl wrote:

Translation: They’re planning to pursue meetings with the best-of-the-best in free agency when July 1 rolls around. It’s a half-court shot of sorts, to be sure, but they’d love nothing more than to fire that pitch to everyone from Kevin Durant on down. Talk about the young core and where they believe they’re heading under coach Lloyd Pierce, the arena that received $192.5 million in renovations that have drawn rave reviews, and the fancy new practice facility too. Even if (insert free agent’s name here) doesn’t come, it’s the kind of courting that sends a league-wide message that your program should be taken seriously[/b].

Jamaaliver wrote:

Sultanofatl wrote:

Translation: They’re planning to pursue meetings with the best-of-the-best in free agency when July 1 rolls around. It’s a half-court shot of sorts, to be sure, but they’d love nothing more than to fire that pitch to everyone from Kevin Durant on down. Talk about the young core and where they believe they’re heading under coach Lloyd Pierce, the arena that received $192.5 million in renovations that have drawn rave reviews, and the fancy new practice facility too. Even if (insert free agent’s name here) doesn’t come, it’s the kind of courting that sends a league-wide message that your program should be taken seriously[/b].

Where is this from
Who wrote this?
Do you have a link?

Yungsta404 wrote:why are we rushing to compete already? why not wait another year to get more young talent?
If we overpay for a 2nd tier free agent, we will just end up being mediocre again and completely wasted a potentially great rebuild.

Yungsta404 wrote:why are we rushing to compete already? why not wait another year to get more young talent?
If we overpay for a 2nd tier free agent, we will just end up being mediocre again and completely wasted a potentially great rebuild.

High 5 wrote:

Yungsta404 wrote:why are we rushing to compete already? why not wait another year to get more young talent?
If we overpay for a 2nd tier free agent, we will just end up being mediocre again and completely wasted a potentially great rebuild.

We have 6 recent 1st round selections on the team and the odds say we'll add 2 more top 10 picks in a few months. We don't need more young talent. I agree we shouldn't overpay a 2nd tier FA, but the rumor said "best of the best." It almost certainly won't happen, but I think it's worth a shot.

HMFFL wrote:Dallas will pursue Nikola Vučević this off season. They already asked Orlando what they wanted for him before then trade deadline.

CP War Hawks wrote:I've seen Trae buddying up with Vucevic after a game. I mean it's alot of FAs this summer, and it' could be more wild as the trade deadline.

I think the draft has some blockbuster moments waiting for us.

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